When I think of spring I think of tender green stalks of asparagus brushed with olive oil and garlic, then spritzed with balsamic vinegar and grilled to perfection. But my sister will just take one look and think "yuck!" How can something seem so delectable to one person be so noxious to another?

It all comes down to our senses. According to Linda Bartichek, Ph.D. the researcher who coined the term, "Super Taster", some people find bitter tastes hard to swallow. Turns out, "super tasters" have many more taste buds on their tongues than the rest of us.

But, the sense of taste is only one element. Some people have issues with textures. Some can smell a food and not be able to eat it. Others are averse to colors, shapes and just the look of certain foods. I always thought that people who reacted adversely to new foods were being difficult, child-like or quirky. Turns out, people can respond very differently to the same things based on their sensory needs.

Occupational Therapist Winnie Dunn, PH.D, has written a book called "Living Sensationally: Understanding Your Senses, 2009." In her book, she divides people into four categories based on how they respond to their sensory environment. Here is her example:

"Imagine there are four different people being invited to taste a new and unusual food. Here is how they might respond:

"Mmmm!"

"Ach!

"no, Thanks"

"what, oh...ok"

The first person can't wait to try something new, the second person tries it and hates it, the third person won't even try it and the fourth person misses the initial invitation and then goes ahead and tries it."

We can learn to be more accepting of a person's food choices. Diet is a personal journey and we all come equipped with our own baggage whether we are a "super taster" or averse to foods based on their smell, color, texture, or our comfort level.
Present healthy foods to your family in a calm and welcoming environment. Let each individual approach food in their own way. Allow them to explore different foods without force or punishment. Learn more about "Living Sensationally" to understand yourself and your family.

Linda Quinn, MS, RD is the nutrition services adminstrator for Central New York DSO and the nutritional spokesperson for New York State Apple Association. She lives and plays in Central New York, fighting for local farms.